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AHL board approves Senators’ relocation

Intelligencer file photo
Senators owner Eugene Melnyk speaks to reporters following an event where it was announced the Ottawa Senators are relocating their AHL team to Belleville. The American Hockey League’s board of directors has now given its approval for the team’s sale and relocation.

The owner of the Belleville Senators can now skate forward with the team’s move here after the American Hockey League board voted unanimously in favour of its relocation.
Eugene Melnyk, the owner of the Ottawa Senators and its affiliate Belleville Senators can now proceed ahead with plans to get the team ready for play here for the 2017-18 season.
“I had the opportunity to address the Board of Governors of the American Hockey League,” Melnyk told the Intelligencer Tuesday. “It was a highly positive discussion about the future of our AHL affiliate and I am very pleased and thankful for the unanimous approval of my ownership of the Belleville Senators.”
Notice from the league indicated that last week’s vote was a success for Melnyk’s vying Ottawa group.
“The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the franchise owned by B.C. Senators Inc., to a company owned by Eugene Melnyk, effective upon closing, as well as the relocation of that franchise from Binghamton to Belleville, effective with the 2017-18 season,” stated a release from Jason Chamovitch, the league’s vice-president of communications.
Coun. Mike Graham, who, along with the mayor, Coun. Garnet Thompson and director Mark Fluhrer, spearhead the transition team which negotiated the deal to get the team here, said it’s positive news to get through another formality necessary to cement the team’s move here.
“I’m ecstatic,” Graham said Tuesday. “You need the support of the AHL to move the team. That’s a big hurdle to clear.”
jamiller@postmedia.com